The Argentine presenter remembered for El libro gordo de Petete left broadcasting and spent decades building a textile business with Lando Simonetti.
For generations of Argentines, Gachi Ferrari is associated with the children’s program El libro gordo de Petete, where she appeared alongside the penguin Petete. In an interview with LA NACION, she recalled her path from television and modeling to La Martina, the business she built with Italian entrepreneur Lando Simonetti.
Ferrari began working as a teenage promoter. A photographer noticed her, leading to advertising work and collaborations with Para Ti magazine, including cover shoots and beauty and fashion features. That success brought her to projects by producer Manuel García Ferré and to El libro gordo de Petete, a short educational program for children. She also took part in the radio show Arriba chicos and television programs such as Jardincito, Supershow Infantil and Telejuegos.
Ferrari acted in telenovelas and films, including Pobre diabla (1973), Mi cuñado (1976), Una mujer (1975), Los superagentes biónicos (1977) and Cantaniño cuenta un cuento (1979). She met Simonetti in 1985; a year later, they founded La Martina. The brand grew into an international company and became an official supplier to the Argentine Polo Association and the International Polo Federation.
As the business expanded and Ferrari was filming three programs at once, she asked for a one-year sabbatical. It ultimately became a decades-long departure from the media. At first she missed the recognition and attention of viewers. Over time, she adapted to her new role and came to value her television work differently.
Ferrari now calls La Martina her life and a family business that her children have joined. Former viewers still recognize her, and the Petete program remains part of her public image. Reflecting on success, she points to persistence and resilience — qualities that helped Simonetti grow the company.